Ryan Clady to get $168,000 franchise tag bump

The NFL released its franchise tag figures to its 32 teams Friday and the franchise tag salary for offensive linemen is $9.828 million, an $168,000 increase from the $9.66 million figure teams and agents had been expecting.

The Broncos will place the franchise tag on left tackle Ryan Clady by the Monday deadline, a maneuver that all but takes him off the free-agent market. The Broncos and Clady hope to work out a multiyear contract extension prior to training camp, but serious negotiations may not commence until the two-time All Pro is further along in his recovery from right shoulder surgery.

Clady is not expected to attend the team’s offseason workout program without a multiyear extension.

If the Broncos go another year without an agreement, they could also place a second franchise tag on Clady for the 2014 season, although he would receive an automatic 20 percent increase to $11.794 million.

The reason for the Broncos to work out an extension with Clady is he’s a franchise-type left tackle and they’d want to keep Peyton Manning’s blindside protector happy.

Injury concern is the reason to wait a little longer before committing to a long-term investment.